The new Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nanibarini Zabbey, has commenced work at the project coordination office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with an assurance to give prime commitment to the implementation of the Ogoni Clean-up project. 

Zabbey took over from the former project Coordinator, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Coordinator of HYPREP in March 2022.

Addressing Ogoni youths, who thronged to the HYPREP office in Port Harcourt to receive him, yesterday, Zabbey said President Buhari was highly committed to the Ogoni Clean-up project because he loves Ogoni people. 

He also added that the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, was dedicated and committed to delivering the United Nations. Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland because it would serve as a template for other remediation works in other parts of the Niger Delta.

Zabbey therefore said he would do his best to achieve the Ogoni Clean-up project. He thanked Ogoni youths for the demonstration of love, urging them to join hands towards fast-tracking the noble project.

He said: “Inclusiveness is a key word in the administration of President Buhari. And so, I want to urge all of you to be patient and united, so that there will be sustainable peace because where there is peace we can think creatively and deliver a project that will be a model for the Niger Delta.”  

Zabbey also re-emphasised the importance of the livelihood aspect of the project, saying: “The government is very concerned about the livelihoods in Ogoni. Of course, the Ogoni project is about two things – restoring the environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people. Man is at the centre of the environment. Without human beings there is no Clean-up and without the Ogoni people eating, they will not enjoy the benefit of environmental restoration.”

He further told the youths that, “the honourable minister of environment has asked me to tell you that the issue of livelihoods for women and youths will be taken seriously.”

One of the leaders of Ogoni youths under the aegis of Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), Saviour Imeabe, urged Zabbey to carry the youths of Ogoni along and build a strong bond between stakeholders and HYPREP.  

He said: “We are very happy to receive you today as the new Project Coordinator. This is something that we haven’t done before in this number with drums and trumpets as you can see here. What you are seeing here today is a pure demonstration of the love we have for you and gratitude to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the honourable Minister of Environment Mohammed Abdullahi.”

Similarly, President of OYF, Legborsi Yamaabana, commended the president for taking steps beyond rhetoric to ensure that the Ogoni Clean-up is being implemented.